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FloorSciences™ specializes in analyzing and investigating commercial and industrial flooring failures to provide expert evaluations nationwide. We take pride in maintaining a national reputation for a high level of professional excellence and objectivity to provide reliable data and solutions. Our commitment to quality and thoroughness ensures our clients receive reliable and actionable information.

 

We leverage cutting-edge technology, scientific methodologies, and industry best practices to assess flooring conditions and identify underlying issues. Our advanced testing provides reliable data to support unbiased, informed, scientific conclusions and opinions to deliver comprehensive science-based reports.

 

FloorSciences™ takes commercial and industrial technical floor consulting to the next level with advanced technical capabilities that includes a wide range of analytical testing and evaluation services available from very few flooring inspection firms.

 

As we continue to expand our services, we remain committed to innovation and excellence. Our ongoing research efforts and involvement with standards development organizations (SDOs) ensure that we stay at the forefront of the industry. We are equipped to tackle the most complex flooring challenges. Partner with us for unparalleled expertise.

 

In addition to our investigative services, we also offer quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) testing and evaluations for proactive measures to prevent future issues.

Commercial luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring failure in a medical imaging center

Advanced In-Field Technological Capabilities

At FloorSciences™, we believe that accuracy is the foundation of every forensic conclusion. While others rely on manual tools and assumed variables, we have invested in an array of automated instrumentation, research- and laboratory-grade metrology instruments to provide our clients with a level of data precision that is unmatched in the flooring industry. This commitment to engineering-grade technology ensures that we deliver superior, empirical data that stands up to the most rigorous technical and engineering scrutiny.

 

🔸Concrete Slab Subsurface Scanning & Slab Thickness Measurement: 

Advanced Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is used to non-destructively locate post-tensioning cables, reinforcement, conduit, and other concrete embeddings, and to accurately measure slab thickness for precise ASTM F2170 concrete moisture testing depths. This eliminates the "assumed" thickness errors common in the industry, providing empirical data for F2170 moisture testing. (ASTM D6432)

 

🔸Tensile Strength Analysis of Coatings, Underlayments, and Concrete Slabs: 

Using Swiss-made Proceq digitally-controlled electromechanical tensile strength testing instrument to determine the tensile bond strength of coatings, underlayments, and toppings to concrete, and the near-surface tensile strength of concrete slabs. The automated feedback-controlled loading rate eliminates operator-induced variables, providing engineering-grade accuracy. (ASTM C1583, D7234)

 

​🔸Precision Flooring Materials Hardness Testing: 

Laboratory-grade hardness verification using world-leading Bareiss HPE III (Shore A & Shore D models) German-engineered precision digital durometers. These instruments represent the highest-tier, friction-free durometers in existence. Featuring a patented leveling sleeve, these instruments ensure a perfect 90° measurement relative to the surface; this eliminates the data inaccuracies caused by the slight angular deviations (as little as 1°) inherent in manual, non-shrouded durometers used elsewhere in the industry. These unique features provides us with repeatability that standard field-grade units cannot achieve. (ASTM D2240)

 

🔸Floor Tile & Plank Precision Measurements: 

Specialized dimensional analysis using Japanese-made Mitutoyo digital calipers in sizes up to 60-inches. These advanced metrology instruments allow for the in-field measurement of flooring products with a degree of accuracy (down to 0.0015") and scale unique to FloorSciences in the flooring industry. Our principal is leading the effort for the development of new proposed ASTM standard for this level of accurate measurements. (ASTM WK94994)

 

🔸Vertical Surface Deviation Precision Measurements: 

Using USA-made Starrett precision indicators and manufacturer-modified gauge stands, measurements of bubbling, peaking, and curling can be performed to a high accuracy. While the industry often relies on subjective visual assessments, these instruments have been modified by the manufacturers to our specific requirements, allowing for height-differential analysis that standard field tools cannot replicate. Our principal consultant is currently the Technical Contact for the ASTM Task Group developing the formal standard for this advanced methodology. (ASTM WK96853)

 

🔸Professional Forensic Image Documentation: 

High-resolution visual evidence captured using professional Nikon imaging systems equipped with professional optics. This ensures that site conditions, even macro defects, are documented with the photographic clarity required for comprehensive forensic analysis and expert testimony. 

 

🔸Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Coating Thickness Measurement: 

Precision electronic gauging used to accurately measure the dry film thickness (DFT) of polymer coatings on concrete without damaging the finished surface. (ASTM 6132)

 

🔸Electronic Subfloor Flatness Measurement: 

High-accuracy analysis using electronic altimeters and German-engineered Stabila electronic levels. Our firm's principal leads the development of a proposed ASTM standard for the measurement of subfloor flatness using these type instruments. (ASTM WK95008)

 

🔸Advanced Moisture Diagnostics: 

Comprehensive moisture analysis utilizing industry-leading Delmhorst, Protimeter, Tramex, Vaisala, and Wagner diagnostic meters to identify and quantify sub-slab and ambient moisture conditions. (ASTM F710, F2170, F2659)

 

🔸Concrete Surface pH Quantitative Digital Analysis: 

Electronic pH meters calibrated daily using NIST-traceable buffer solutions providing accurate on-site analysis of concrete slab pH levels. While most testing agents rely on qualitative pH paper, which the USGS deems unacceptable due to subjective interpretation, we use electronic pH meters calibrated daily to ensure empirical forensic accuracy. (ASTM F3441, WK96852)

Analytical Testing & Forensic Services

 

Some of our professional services are listed below, please inquire about flooring and concrete related testing and evaluation services not listed. A sampling of ASTM  standards utilized are listed for selected testing and evaluation services. We also use standards from ACI, AMPP, ANSI, ICRI, and others.

Cementitious overlays, toppings, underlayments, & repair materials: 

• Delamination surveys
• Quality assurance & quality control (QA/QC) testing & inspections
• Tensile bond strength testing to concrete slabs (ASTM C1583)

 

Claims, arbitration, mediation, & litigation support:

• Consulting
• Expert witness
• Reports well documented & detailed​

 

Concrete coatings:

• Dry film thickness (DFT) ultrasonic nondestructive measurements (ASTM D6132)
• Hardness testing of the surface: Shore D (ASTM D2240)
• Quality assurance & quality control (QA/QC) testing & inspections
• Tensile bond strength testing to cementitious substrates (ASTM D7234)
• Testing & analysis

 

Concrete cores:

• Contamination analysis
• Drilling & extraction
• Laboratory testing & analysis
• Water vapor retarder and vapor barrier inspections for presence under slabs (ASTM E1745, ASTM E1993)

 

Concrete slabs:

• Delamination surveys
• Evaluations & consulting
• Moisture testing (ASTM F1869, ASTM F2170, ASTM F2659)
• Moisture mitigation system testing & analysis (ASTM F3010)
• Subsurface scanning utilizing nondestructive ground penetrating radar (GPR) to locate post-tensioning (PT) cables, rebar, conduit, & more (CSDA-BP-007 )
• Surface pH testing (ASTM F3441)
• Surface porosity testing (ASTM F3191)
• Sweating slab evaluations
• Thickness measurements utilizing nondestructive ground penetrating radar (GPR) subsurface scanning

 

Construction safety compliance & training:​​

• CPR & AED (AHA certification)*
• Fire safety*
• First aid: adult basic & advanced (AHA certification)*​
• First responder*
• Stop-the-Bleed*
• Custom safety training programs

* Lead instructor is a certified tactical EMS paramedic, firefighter lieutenant, & instructor

 

​Consulting

 

Educational seminars

• Preventing Floor Failures & others

 

Environmental remote monitoring:

• Ambient relative humidity (RH), temperature, & CO2 remote monitoring​

 

Flooring systems & components:

• Construction materials testing (CMT) of flooring products
• Inspections & evaluations
• Forensic failure investigations & analysis
• Hardness testing of the surface: Shore A & Shore D (ASTM D2240)
• Quality assurance & quality control (QA/QC) testing & inspections
• Performance evaluations
• Punch list inspections
• Site condition surveys as relates to flooring systems
• Sub-floor evaluations (ASTM F710, ASTM F2419, ASTM F2678, ASTM F2873)​
• Terrazzo tensile bond strength
• Tile & plank precision measurements (for specification conformance) using high-tech electronic dimensional metrology instruments

 

Professional Photography:

• Architectural
• Construction
• Forensic documentation

 

Excessive Concrete Moisture and pH Levels

Excessive concrete moisture and pH levels cause more failures of floor coverings, concrete coatings, underlayments, and toppings than any other factor aside from installation defects.  

 

When these levels exceed manufacturers' product limitations, it can manifest to include potential symptoms and issues such as:

 

• Adhesive breakdown & re-emulsification
• Alkali attacks
• Blistering
• Blushing of color
• Bond failures
• Bubbling
• Cleanliness & sanitation issues
• Cracking
• Crazing
• Damp areas
• Delamination
• Discoloration
• Efflorescence
• Gaps
• Indoor air quality (IAQ) and "sick building syndrome" issues
• Microbial growth (bacteria, fungi, mold, mildew)
• Pop-outs
• Scaling
• Spalling
• Staining
• Trip & fall hazards
• Uneven walking surfaces
• Voiding of flooring components warranties
• Warping

Selected Projects

Broadcast Media

• 11Alive WXIA / WATL TV Studio
• CNN Field Shop
• Turner Broadcasting Studios

 

Corporate/Office

• Coweta-Fayette EMC Headquarters
• DataScan Technologies
• GE Apparatus Service Center
• NCR Corp Customer Fulfillment Center
• Northyards Business Park
• Orange County Gateway Center
• UBS Financial Services
• Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman Law Offices​

 

Defense

• Fort Belvoir Army Base
• Georgia National Guard Joint Forces HQ
• Navy Operational Support Center, Marine Combat Logistics Group

 

Education

• Auburn University "The Village" Student Housing Community
• Beaufort High School
• Centennial Place Elementary
• Emory University
• Kennesaw State University, Polytechnic Campus
• Okatie Elementary School
• Peeples Elementary School
• Pepperell Middle School
• Peyton Forest Middle School
• Pike Middle School
• Samford University Arena
• University of Florida
• University of South Florida Interdisciplinary Sciences & Research Facility
• University of Virginia Health Neurosurgery Center

 

Government

• Chatham County Government Annex
• Floyd County Board of Education
• Fort Belvoir Military Base - Community Hospital
• Georgia National Guard Headquarters
• Orange County Gateway Center
• Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center
• USPS Processing & Distribution Center, Richmond, VA

 

 

 

 

Healthcare

• Aesthetica SurgiCenter
• Coffee Regional Medical Center
• Fort Belvoir Community Hospital at Fort Belvoir Army Base
• Mia Aesthetics 
• Advance Cosmetic Surgery
• Northside Hospital Cancer Institute - Gwinnett
• Northside Hospital Cancer Institute - Sandy Springs
• Northside Hospital Forsyth (multiple vertical expansions)
• Northside Hospital Forsyth Women's Center
• Northside Hospital Gwinnett North Tower
• Northside Hospital Specialty Lab
• Piedmont Newnan Hospital
• Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital
• Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital
• Sarasota Memorial Hospital
• Shands Cancer Hospital at the University of Florida
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
• Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton
• University of Virginia Hospital Heart Center

 

Hospitality & Multi-Family Housing

• Emory Conference Center Hotel at Emory University
• JW Marriott Buckhead
• Kennesaw State University Howell Hall
• Menlo Creek Apartments
• The Village Student Housing at Auburn University

 

Industrial & Manufacturing

• ADI Global Distribution Center
• Confidential Client (food manufacturing)
• Confidential Client (industrial plating manufacturer)
• KW Plastics

 

Life/Environmental Sciences / Medical + Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

• Air Quality Sciences
• Atrion Medical Products
• Dendreon Pharmaceuticals
• Greenguard Environmental Institute
• Inspiration4 Advanced Research Center
• Interdisciplinary Sciences & Research Facility at USF

 

Retail

• Aaron's
• Best Buy - multiple locations
• BodyPlex Fitness
• Fry's Electronics
• Total Wine & More

 

Senior Living

• Golden LivingCenter Decatur
• Golden LivingCenter Surry Community
• Grand Living at Lakewood Ranch
• Grand Living at Tamaya
• Winnwood Retirement Community​

 

Consultancy

Our forensic consultancy services offer expert guidance on flooring projects and legal disputes. We assist clients in navigating complex flooring challenges with tailored solutions.